Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Pell Grant Resolution
Body
WHEREAS, higher education assists individuals achieve the American dream of upward mobility, and ensures our country a strong economy and a healthy workforce; and
WHEREAS, the Pell Grant Program is designed to make college affordable, and has helped millions of students, most with family incomes below $30,000 attend college; and
WHEREAS, the cost of higher education is growing at a rate such that the gap between the maximum Pell Grant and the cost of tuition has grown to its highest rate since the inception of the program; and
WHEREAS, both the House of Representatives and the Senate are looking for ways to fill a funding gap in the Pell Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, the plan from the House of Representatives would restrict eligibility and decrease access to Pell Grants; and
WHEREAS, the Senate would fund the program by changes made to the Stafford student loan program, would preserve access to the Pell Grant Program and would continue the maximum grant of $5,500.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council for the City of Madison opposes all efforts to weaken or shrink the Pell Grant Program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we do not support cuts in financial aid and would prefer to expand the current system.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that given the current funding shortfall, we support, and urge the United States Congress to adopt the proposal made by the Senate to maintain the Pell Grant Program as it is.
BE FINALLY RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to our Senators and Representative in Washington D.C.